Thanksgiving Day - Gratitude in Photographs
Steve and I had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner today - just the two of us. Everything I prepared turned out delicious. I feel like I spent hours preparing for this meal, and dinner was over in about 45 minutes. We have plenty of leftovers to carry Steve through his next week of work, which is perfect.
Today I want to give thanks for an amazing beautiful day. In addition to good food and good company, it truly was a beautiful day in Alaska.
I was still up a little after midnight, and as always, the last thing I did before turning off all the lights and heading up to bed - was look to the night sky through the sliding glass doors. I thought I saw a tinge of green in the sky, but it was very faint. The phone rang and it was Steve. He called me to tell me that the forecast was calling for moderate activity, and he was seeing some pale green streaks in the sky. I got my camera ready, pulled on my coat and gloves, and stepped out onto our back deck.
I saw a bright green glow begin low on the horizon behind the spruce trees bordering our property. It quickly worked it’s way higher into the starlit sky, sometimes shooting like pillars straight up into the blackness. And then, in about ten minutes, it was all over. The pale lights came back, but the bright colors never did return. I’m glad I happened to be out there at the right time.
Aurora Pillars:
There were clouds in parts of the sky. This photo shows clouds lit with the aurora, and clouds lit by ambient light:
Aurora behind the trees and Pleiades (see the blue star cluster?)
Aurora over our house:
And then my neighbor’s dog started barking, which prompted my neighbor to turn on his darn floodlight. GRRRR!!!!
As dawn arrived, I threw open the drapes to let the light in. I saw an intense orange glow on the horizon through the trees. But more beautiful than that was the way the orange light from the sun painted only the tops of the trees. I put my bare feet in my boots, pulled on my coat, and ran down the driveway with my camera to take some photos. When I checked my FB page this morning, I saw that at least a half dozen of my local friends posted photos of the orange trees this morning!
I began preparing dinner, and caught a movement out the kitchen window. The fox that has been frequenting my yard was back. I saw him run across the back of the property, where he usually hangs out. He had his head and ears turned forward and down, listening intently for the sound of voles running under the snow. He must have heard something, because he changed course and began a slow zig zag movement right towards my house - closer than he’s ever been. Hoping he wouldn’t spook, I ran for my camera and took photos of him from the window:
And then Sedona saw the fox out the sliding glass doors and began barking, which sent him running. I hope he comes back.
I have many things to be thankful for today. Most of all I am thankful to live in a place where I see beauty around me on a regular basis.
Wow, beautiful! I love how the fox is posing for you
Your windows must be very clean by the way, hehe. I wouldn’t try that with mine!
They seem very active though lately, so hopefully there’ll be another chance soon.
Great northern lights photos too, you’ve been more lucky than me! We had a great show a few days ago, but as soon as I set up my camera, it dissappeared completely
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Thank you Hanneke! That fox has been a regular visitor to my yard, and I’m assuming I must have a heck of a vole population living out there. (I’ve seen a few in the summer months). The downside to Mr Fox’s visits are that the snowshoe hares have disappeared. But if I have to make a trade-off, I’m certainly happy for fox sightings!
I have been missing the lights all winter this year. I wake up and find out they were out dancing at 2 or 3am and I’m so disappointed. The night before last was definitely a matter of just looking up at the sky at the right time.
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Comment by Hanneke — November 27, 2009 @ 5:25 am
I just never get tired of looking at the Aurora pictures…man that is beautiful, I can only imagine seeing it in person! I love the fox. He is just a beauty! What a gorgeous animal. I would love to have one in my yard!!! Glad you guys had a nice Thanksgiving!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I never tire of the aurora either, Lynn. I’ve been missing it lately (sleeping), so it was a real thrill to be outside at just the right time.
That fox is so gorgeous! I’m happy he came closer to the house, but I wish Sedona didn’t bark and scare him away. I’d have liked to have gotten more photos!
Enjoy your weekend!
Susan
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Comment by LynninMN — November 27, 2009 @ 9:49 am
What absolutely stunning photographs, Susan. Beautiful! I never tire of seeing your Aurora photographs.
Marylyn
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susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Thank you Marylyn! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Enjoy your weekend.
Susan
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Comment by Marylyn Jessup — November 27, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
Gorgeous photos Susan. What a beautiful place this is!
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susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:31 am
It IS! We are both so lucky to live here!!! I hope you’re Thanksgiving was lovely. Enjoy your weekend.
Susan
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Comment by Linda Douglass — November 27, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Love the fox, looks like you can reach out and pet him.
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susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:32 am
He came so much closer than he usually does, and I was thrilled about that. Then Sedona saw him and all heck broke loose. *shakes head* But at least I managed to get some photographs!
Have a nice weekend,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Tracy — November 27, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Hi Susan and Steve
You know of course that the Northern Lights are my
favorite photos They are so Beautiful Happy that you still have them in one of the months in your new
Calendar This year they were in the Sept Month Next
year they are in the Oct month
In reading the Journal I noticed that you guys are going to be one busy couple coming up the next 3 months You and Steve next month to Vegas, Jan You going to Madison Then you and Steve in Feb to North
Carolina All in all We wish you very safe trips
Please enjoy them all
Happy to hear that you and Steve had a Very Happy
Thanksgiving We also had a Very Happy One
Please take care Love to you both John and Shirley
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hi John and Shirley,
I know how much you love the aurora photographs. I wish you could see them in person. They are magnificent!
We are both so excited about the travel ahead of us. It will make the winter pass by so quickly, and we’re going to have such a good time spending time with each other in Vegas, and with our families in January and February.
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Love you,
Susan
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Comment by John&Shirley Strauser — November 27, 2009 @ 5:18 pm
We took our first trip to Alaska in early July - it was just beautiful. I feel so lucky to have found your site - the photographs are magnificent - it is great fun to hear about your life in Alaska. The lights must truly be beautiful - the frost pictures were gorgeous, and the fox - lovely! Thank you for sharing. I dream on from a farm in Illinois!
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susanstevenson Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Sandra, and thank you for commenting!
How exciting for you to have had the opportunity to visit Alaska. I know you probably felt like the time passed entirely too quickly. Alaska is such a beautiful state and there is so much to see. I do hope your travels will bring you back again, to see and experience more.
I’m happy that you are enjoying my photos. I love sharing AK with my readers!
I hope your Thanksgiving was nice. I love the thought of Thanksgiving on a farm in Illinois.
Warm regards,
Susan
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Comment by Sandra Cox — November 28, 2009 @ 6:12 am
Wonderful photographs Susan. While I of course love the northern lights, the shots you caught of the fox are outstanding!
I hope you have a joyous upcoming holiday season there in the Santa Claus Land!
Von
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
That fox has been such a joy to me! Granted, he’s run off all the snowshoe hares, but watching him run around my yard searching for voles is so fun! I hope to see him doing the jump and pounce thing sometime - while my camera is ready!
Have a lovely holiday too, Von. There’s something special about Christmas in North Pole.
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Comment by Yvonne Bennett — November 29, 2009 @ 8:26 am
[...] Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier » Thanksgiving Day - Gratitude in Photographs susanstevenson.com/blog/2009/11/thanksgiving-day-gratitude-in-photographs – view page – cached Steve and I had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner today - just the two of us. Everything I prepared turned out delicious. I feel like I spent hours preparing for this meal, and dinner was over in about… Read moreSteve and I had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner today - just the two of us. Everything I prepared turned out delicious. I feel like I spent hours preparing for this meal, and dinner was over in about 45 minutes. We have plenty of leftovers to carry Steve through his next week of work, which is View page [...]
Pingback by Twitter Trackbacks for Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier » Thanksgiving Day - Gratitude in Photographs [susanstevenson.com] on Topsy.com — November 30, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
wow! I envy the amazing sites you are able to see from your house. Incredible!
[Reply]
Comment by Juli james — December 5, 2009 @ 8:45 pm